Verba

Sunday, November 13, 2011 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - A

Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.

This story of the Talents follows last week's gospel scripture about the wise and foolish virgins. In the latter, we heard Jesus speak to the importance of being wise in preparing for his eventual return. Today's gospel scripture encourages us to take initiative and risk a little (or more). In other words, fear can be dangerous. One is put in mind of the apostle, Peter, when Jesus invites him to walk on the sea! It is when he becomes afraid that he begins to sink. In the parable today, the master gives large sums of money to each of three servants, "each according to his ability." Even one "talent" of silver would be a large sum. Two of the servants make the money "grow," and one, out of fear, buries his one talent and returns it, as is, to the master. The consequences are clear. The "good and faithful servant" is one who takes responsibility and also is willing to risk for the sake of the master. The fearful servant learns the cost of fear.

In preaching retreats I often challenge the retreatants to ask themselves about their image of God. Is God someone "demanding?" Is God a judge with a reputation for harsh sentences? Is God a loving person who invites us to participate in his creative and salvific plan? All three servants were invited and challenged. Their reaction to the Master's generosity and challenge reminds me of the Chinese character for "crisis:" - a combination of two characters for danger and opportunity. Two of the servants saw "opportunity" and one saw "danger." If the first two were fearsome, we do not know of it. What we learn is that faithfulness is more than avoiding mistakes out of fear. The terrible irony here is that one's image or understanding of God could be the very thing that prevents one from being faithful! To be able to "share the Master's joy" means we must take responsibility for what the Master gives us and make it grow. Fear may lead to the loss of everything. Adventure anyone? AMEN